S&W 686 it's hard to beat

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I have owned three L-frame S&W'S.
The first was a 681 stainless steel revolver with a 4 inch barrel and fixed sights. I was unhappy with the issue model 13, a K-frame revolver which was nice to carry, but just too fragile for sustained .357 use. My agency had one crack the forcing cone when we were issued 125 grain .357 ammo instead of the usual 110 grain.357 ammo.
I had the action smoothed and carried it for a while, but it was a heavy gun. I eventually sent it to MAGNA PORT and that made it very easy to shoot the 110 grain ammo we were then issuing and I could also qualify with the 125 grain which my agency was desperate to get rid of. I was given 12 boxes of REMINGTON 125 grain .357 for practice so they could empty the armory!
I still have it and shoot it every once in a while.
I also bought a nickeled 581 as a companion piece, but it did not have as smooth a trigger, so I sold it to a co-worker who loves nickled guns.
I then bought a 6 inch model 686 which I was not interested in until I noticed the slots on either side of the front sight. Yes, it was MAGNA-PORTED and it had an action job as well. I said I would think about and drove off and an hour later called the gun shop to ask them to hold it for me. It shoots very well and the heavy barrel and ports really soak up the recoil. The last time I took it to the range, I shot my RUGER Security Six with a 4 inch barrel and the 686 and it was night and day in the ease of shooting .357 ammo.
The bad news is that it is as heavy as a brick. I would never want to pack it in a holser, which is one reason I like the RUGER Six serries. It is a much easier to pack gun without the weaknesses of the K-frame guns.

Jim

Wow...a nickel 581, thats a unicorn for sure.

 

[shoebox1.1]

My custom 686 dash four

It started out as a 6" six shot.

I sent it off to Andy Horvath

He cut it to 5", and put in a factory 7 shot cylinder and hand.

Added a Jack Weygand front sight base, and Dawson skinny .100" fiber optic front sight.

before:

View attachment 1154994

View attachment 1154995

View attachment 1154996

View attachment 1154997
.
.
.
After:

View attachment 1154998

View attachment 1154999

View attachment 1155000

View attachment 1155001

View attachment 1155002

View attachment 1155003

View attachment 1155004

View attachment 1155005

I need a moist towelette!

 

[MrShooter]

As the oldest, I was counting on inheriting my father's mint 686, which has only shot one box of ammo by myself many years ago, but my brother who's visiting just informed me he purchased it today. Oh well, he's visiting me next and we're going to do some shooting together, and dad promised me his old "long Tom" double barrel 12ga.

 

[cfullgraf]

Yes, the 586/686 revolvers are hard to beat.

Although the 686 is a bit heavy, I’ve stop shooting full power 357 Mag ammunition in my K-frames and use my 586/686 revolvers. The grip frame is the same between the two.

My wife likes her 586-0 shooting mostly 38 Special. I found an 8-3/8” 686 a number of years ago and it is fun to shoot.

But one of these days I may buy one of the new design 357 Mag K-frames and see how well it holds up.

 

[Jonesy814]

I just picked one up. A 686-6, and unfortunately, it has that damnable internal lock which I've made it a point to avoid, but this one had a 5" barrel with partial underlug, which I've only ever seen one other time (and that gun also had Ahrends grips like this, making me wonder if Smith & Wesson didn't offer them with this variant). I think I will probably replace the fiber optic sight with a gold bead -- this one isn't terribly good at gathering light -- it only seems bright when you're standing directly under a light fixture -- and I have gold beads on a couple of my other guns and really like them. Also unfortunate is the rear sight; I don't know if this came from the factory like this or not, but the sight is a V notch, which I have never seen on an S&W revolver. I don't like it. Every S&W adjustable revolver sight I have ever seen is a square notch, sometimes with a white outline, and sometimes without. I will put a square notch on if I must; it will be better than this V. But I'd really like a U notch like the one on the Wilson Combat sights I put on my new Python, only I can't find anyone making such a rear sight for the S&W revolver.
View attachment 1153537

I believe the V notch rear sight is factory. I believe you have a Stocking Dealers Special. The Standard Catalog describes product number 164284 as having a 5 inch barrel, Hi-Viz front sight and half lug, 1994.

 

[Onty]

My custom 686 dash four

It started out as a 6" six shot.

I sent it off to Andy Horvath

He cut it to 5", and put in a factory 7 shot cylinder and hand.

Added a Jack Weygand front sight base, and Dawson skinny .100" fiber optic front sight.

That bullet, who made a mold, what is P/N? It looks as well designed SWC.

Also, can you tell us about loads and accuracy? Thanks!

 

[derek45]

That bullet, who made a mold, what is P/N? It looks as well designed SWC.

Also, can you tell us about loads and accuracy? Thanks!

NOE 360-176-SWC

https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/bullet-moulds/358/360-176-swc-v4/360-176-swc-v4-5-cavity-pb/



Loads are what you'd imagine, 2400 or H110 for max loads, unique or universal for warm loads

 

[Southerner up North]

My custom 686 dash four

It started out as a 6" six shot.

I sent it off to Andy Horvath

He cut it to 5", and put in a factory 7 shot cylinder and hand.

Added a Jack Weygand front sight base, and Dawson skinny .100" fiber optic front sight.

before:

View attachment 1154994

View attachment 1154995

View attachment 1154996

View attachment 1154997
.
.
.
After:

View attachment 1154998

View attachment 1154999

View attachment 1155000

View attachment 1155001

View attachment 1155002

View attachment 1155003

View attachment 1155004

View attachment 1155005

Very nice

 

[Jim Watson]

He cut it to 5", and put in a factory 7 shot cylinder and hand.

I went the other way, I could not find a good use for a 686+ so I had it converted to a sixshooter and sawn off to 4" for IDPA.

 

[Onty]

Any time I see a nice, wide, front driving band, I know that rest of the bullet is well deigned. Very close to original E. Keith rules.

RCBS even labeled this one ".44-250-K" https://www.rcbs.com/bullet-casting/moulds/bullet-mould-.44-250-k-421/355313.html , hinting Keith's design.




When I see something like this, I cringe. And if front driving band is also well undersize, so "it will fit all revolvers", I cringe twice. Yep, on of those gun rag "writers" once complained about a bullet that has "too big diameter of front driving band so he cannot load round in the chamber". Guy obviously never heard about bullet sizing.

In other hand, RCBS did make it right on .45-270 SAA (I think it's designed by D. Scovill):

 

[Skribs]

I like my Ruger revolvers for probably a stupid reason - I prefer the cylinder release button.

With that said, I would love me a 6" Colt Python or Anaconda. Those are absolute beauties of a gun.

Wait, this was a S&W thread? I don't know, their revolvers never spoke to me. Although I do have a M&P 9 and an M&P 15.

 

[Jim Watson]

In other hand, RCBS did make it right on .45-270 SAA (I think it's designed by D. Scovill):

If I cast my own, I would like a Lyman 358311 or equivalent, a roundnose with a prominent front band and serious crimp groove.

 

[shoebox1.1]

Charleston Heston couldn’t pry my match champion from my cold dead hands!! My best gun ever I think. It practically shoots itself

 

[crestoncowboy]

I like my Ruger revolvers for probably a stupid reason - I prefer the cylinder release button.

With that said, I would love me a 6" Colt Python or Anaconda. Those are absolute beauties of a gun.

Wait, this was a S&W thread? I don't know, their revolvers never spoke to me. Although I do have a M&P 9 and an M&P 15.

And back in the day the price was close.


Obviously an N frame vs a 357 colt but I can't imagine the smith would have been much less than the 44.

I'm the other way on smith. I have several third gen semi auto but if all smith made was centerfire semi autos id likely not own a smith. I much prefer their revolvers.

To keep it 686 centric...


Couple smith. One 686.

Heavy for the power factor and not my favorite gun by a mile. Good guns though

 

[Rock185]

My 686-5 was originally a 7-shooter. I sent it to S&W where Vito fitted a new 6-shot cylinder. I later had the 7-shot cylinder converted to 9mm, just because I could.

 

[CajunBass]

The 5/696 are certainly great revolvers, I've just never been able to warm up to them for some reason. I've owned a couple, but I don't think I ever fired them before selling them off.

 

[Plano11]

Here is my dash 1. It is a tack driver, since it was not fired since leaving the factory, I dont really shoot it. When my son in law got back from a tour in Afghanistan; he told me it was not right to own such beautiful revolver and not shoot it, so we took it out and put four cylinders though it. It put a big smile on his face. He needed it he had a bit of stress, as he saw his fellow Army fellows get blown up.

 

[5118ar]

I love the 686, but for me with very large hands, my second finger takes a beating, am I doing something wrong? My Taurus 66, is much better in that area.

 

[StrawHat]

I love the 686, but for me with very large hands, my second finger takes a beating, am I doing something wrong? My Taurus 66, is much better in that area.

What stocks are you using? For me, Target stocks are too big and mishappened for my hands. I prefer either the Service stock with a grip adapter or the Magna stock with a grip adapter.

Kevin

 

[v8stang289]

A 686 is a mighty fine revolver indeed.
I have a pair of -4's. I'd like to add a 586 at some point.

 

[SteadyD]

I love to handle, carry and shoot my 1984 no dash 686. Bought it new and it's never let me down.
Pythons are a thing of beauty, Rugers GP100 is a tank. For me, the 686 is unbeatable for beauty, smoothness, reliability, balance and accuracy.
This 357 is my old friend that will go the distance.View attachment 1150369

My Uncle carried a no dash as a Deputy back in the 80s. When he took a job as a prison guard he sold it to my father, who left it to me.

 

[shoebox1.1]

A 686 is a mighty fine revolver indeed.
I have a pair of -4's. I'd like to add a 586 at some point.

Mighty handsome stocks you got there pal.. care to share what targets those are?

 

[v8stang289]

Mighty handsome stocks you got there pal.. care to share what targets those are?

Thanks.
They're Ahrend's Retro Targets. He made great grips at great prices.
Unfortunately Kim went out of business a few years ago following his wife's health issues.

 

[shoebox1.1]

I just got some ahrends for this mountain gun. Stripped sanded and tung oiled. Look pretty good. I might sell them and go Houge stripe cap. Not sure yet

 

[v8stang289]

I just got some ahrends for this mountain gun. Stripped sanded and tung oiled. Look pretty good. I might sell them and go Houge stripe cap. Not sure yetView attachment 1165816View attachment 1165817

They look good!
Ahrends Tactical Fingergroove are some of my favorites. They fit my hand well and I shoot well with them. Plus they look great.
I currently own several sets.